Phalaenopsis orchid plant named ‘Double Delight’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Phalaenopsis  plant named ‘Double Delight’ particularly characterized by flowers which are white with purple/violet and a red/purple labellum; plants which may be propagated economically and uniformly using tissue culture; plants which produce more than one inflorescence; long and sturdy inflorescences; and relatively short, dark-green foliage.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Phalaenopsishybrida.

Variety denomination: ‘Double Delight’,

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofPhalaenopsis plant, botanically known as Phalaenopsis of the Orchidaceaefamily, and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘DoubleDelight’.

Phalaenopsis comprises a genus of about 55 species of herbaceousperennials many of which, or the hybrids thereof, are suitable forcultivation in the home or greenhouse. Phalaenopsis is predominantlyepiphytic or rock-dwelling, and is native to tropical Asia, the MalayArchipelago, and Oceania. The species typically has 2-ranked, fleshy,oblong or elliptic leaves affixed to a short central stem (monopodialgrowth), which vary in size from 5 to 8 inches to over 2 feet. Theleaves may be entirely green or mottled with silver grey.

Phalaenopsis orchids, often referred to as ‘Moth Orchids’ in thehorticultural trade, are frequently used to furnish cut flowers for theflorist trade or sold as flowering potted-plants for home orinteriorscape.

Phalaenopsis produces upright or pendent lateral racemes, often withmany showy flowers which open in succession beginning with thelowermost. The flowers possess three sepals and three petals; thelateral ones being alike. The lowermost petal, called the labellum, isthree-lobed and is often more brightly-colored than the other flowersegments. Flower colors include various shades of pink, white, yellowand red-brown.

Phalaenopsis orchids are typically propagated from seeds. Asexualpropagation of Phalaenopsis is often done from off-shoots whichfrequently arise from the lower bracts of the inflorescence. Theresulting plants are detached from the mother plant and may be plantedin a suitable substrate.

The new Phalaenopsis ‘Double Delight’ is a product of a controlledbreeding program conducted by the inventor, René Schoone, in Strengweg,Heemskerk, The Netherlands. The objective of the breeding program was todevelop a new Phalaenopsis cultivar particularly characterized by itsattractive and unique colored flowers, economical propagation via tissueculture, rapid growth, and a plant dimension suitable for packaging andshipping to the market.

The new Phalaenopsis ‘Double Delight’ originated from a cross made bythe inventor in 2001 in Strengweg, Heemskerk, The Netherlands. Thefemale or seed parent is the Phalaenopsis cultivar designated ‘JosephHampton’, unpatented. The male or pollen parent is the Phalaenopsiscultivar designated ‘Moon World’, unpatented. The new Phalaenopsis‘Double Delight’ was discovered and selected by the inventor as a singleflowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross in a controlledenvironment in 2009 in Strengweg, Heemskerk, The Netherlands.

Asexual reproduction of the new Phalaenopsis cultivar by tissue culture(mericloning) was first performed in November, 2009 in Cieweg 13,Heemskerk, The Netherlands, and has demonstrated that the combination ofcharacteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivar are firmlyfixed and retained through successive generations of asexualreproduction. The new cultivar asexually reproduces true-to-type.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe unique characteristics of ‘Double Delight’, which in combinationdistinguish this Phalaenopsis as a new and distinct cultivar:

-   -   1. flowers which are white with purple/violet and a red/purple        labellum;    -   2. plant produces more than one inflorescence;    -   3. plants may be propagated economically and uniformly using        tissue culture;    -   4. inflorescences are long and sturdy; and    -   5. relatively short, dark-green foliage.

In comparison with the parental cultivars of ‘Double Delight’, thefemale parent ‘Joseph Hampton’ is white with a pink haze and a redlabellum. The male parent ‘Moon World’ is white, whereas the flowers of‘Double Delight’ are white with purple/violet and a red/purple labellum.

Presently, the commercial cultivar to which ‘Double Delight’ can bemeaningfully compared is ‘331996’ (unpatented). The flowers of ‘DoubleDelight’ have more white and less purple/violet than the flowers of‘331996’. Also differs the shape of the mid lobe of the labellum and thecolor of the labellum. The main color of the labellum of ‘DoubleDelight’ is red/purple, whereas the main color of the labellum of‘331996’ is purple/violet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of thenew Phalaenopsis ‘Double Delight’ showing the colors as true as isreasonably possible with colored reproductions of this type. Colors inthe photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in thedetailed botanical description, which accurately describe the color of‘Double Delight’.

FIG. 1 shows a side view perspective of a typical flowering plant of‘Double Delight’ in a 12 cm pot, at 16 months of age.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up view of the typical flower of ‘Double Delight’.

FIG. 3 shows a close-up view of the typical leaves of ‘Double Delight’

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘Double Delight’ has not been observedunder all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype of the newcultivar may vary with variations in environment such as temperature,light intensity, and day length without any change in the genotype ofthe plant.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the followingobservations, measurements and values describe plants of ‘DoubleDelight’ as grown in a greenhouse in Strengweg, Heemskerk, TheNetherlands, under conditions which closely approximate those generallyused in commercial practice. Initially, the ideal temperature to growplants of ‘Double Delight’ is 27° C. during the day and at night. Then,during the flowering phase of ‘Double Delight’, the ideal growingtemperature is 20-22° C. during the day and 18° C. at night. Lightlevels for growing ‘Double Delight’ are a minimum of 5,000 lux and amaximum of 10,000 lux. A balanced fertilizer with level of 200 ppm N, 87ppm P, 168 ppm K is applied. Duration of growth of ‘Double Delight’ frompotting size is between 10 and 14 months.

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society ColourChart (R.H.S.), 2007 edition, except where general colors of ordinarysignificance are used. Color values were taken under daylight conditionsat approximately noon in Zaandammerweg, Assendelft, The Netherlands. Theage of the ‘Double Delight’ plants described is 12 months after potting.

-   Classification:    -   -   Botanical.—Phalaenopsis hybrida.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female or seed parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar designated            ‘Joseph Hampton’, unpatented.        -   Male or pollen parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar designated            ‘Moon World’, unpatented.-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—Tissue culture.-   Rooting habit and description: Fleshy; approximately 4 mm-6 mm wide    and greyed/green in color (RHS 190B); freely branching. It takes 12    weeks for plants growing in tissue culture to initiate roots-   Plant:    -   -   Size at maturity.—Height (from bottom of pot to highest            flower): about 70 cm. Spread: about 25 cm to 55 cm.        -   Growth habit.—Large; green with grey/purple leaves (RHS            137A) and a relatively normal raceme.        -   Vigor.—Moderate.        -   Crop time.—Following asexual propagation, at about 26 weeks            2 leaves appear; at about 30 weeks 3-4 leaves appear; after            a cold treatment of about 4-8 weeks at a temperature of            about 19° C. about 1-2 racemes with flowers appear.-   Foliage:    -   -   Quantity per plant.—About 6-8 leaves are produced before            flowering.        -   Arrangement and attachment.—Half up/horizontal and on two            sides.        -   Overall shape of leaf.—Oval; the tip is blunt and            asymmetric.        -   Texture (upper & underside).—Smooth and leathery.        -   Pubescence.—None.        -   Mature leaf length.—About 20 cm.        -   Mature leaf width.—About 7.5 cm.        -   Mature leaf thickness.—About 2 mm.        -   Mature leaf color.—Upper side: green (RHS 137A). Under side:            green (RHS 137B) with brown (RHS 200A).        -   Leaf base.—Acute.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Venation.—Pattern: parallel. Color of midvein: upper side:            green (RHS 139A). under side: green (RHS 137A) and brown            (RHS 200A).-   Inflorescence description:    -   -   Appearance.—Upright to slightly pendant, racemose            inflorescence with bilaterally symmetrical flowers that open            in succession beginning with the lowermost flower.        -   Raceme.—Quantity per plant: about 1 to 2. Number of flowers            per raceme: about 4-15. Length: about 65 cm to 75 cm.        -   Peduncle.—Length: about 40 cm. Diameter: about 4 mm.            Strength: strong. Aspect: upright. Texture: glabrous and            smooth. Color: yellow/green (RHS 146A) with brown (RHS            200B). Internode: Length: about 40 mm.        -   Buds.—Height (from base to tip): about 25 mm. Diameter (at            midpoint): about 20 mm. Shape: oval/egg-shaped with a bump            on one side. Color: yellow/green (RHS 145A) with red/purple            (RHS 59A). Orientation: same as flowers (forward facing).        -   Flowering time.—For an untreated plant (flowering plant that            has not undergone cold-treatment where the plant grows at a            temperature of 18° C. to 19° C. for about 4 to 8 weeks after            a period of about 30 weeks at a temperature of 25° C.), 1-2            racemes appear with flower buds and flowers. First flowers            can be expected approximately 4 to 6 months after planting a            plant with a leaf diameter of 3 to 5 cm. Flowers persistent.        -   Flowering longevity.—On the plant: about 4 to 6 months;            lastingness of cut flowers: has not been observed.        -   Fragrance.—No fragrance.        -   Flower.—Rate of opening: Flowers fully opened about 2 to 3            days after petal and sepal separation. Orientation at            opening: slanted upward and outward. Shape: Typical shape of            Phalaenopsis, see FIG. 2. Size (of single bloom): Height:            about 10 cm. Diameter: about 11 cm. Quantity and            arrangement: three petals and three sepals that are            trimerous, overlapping and arranged in 2 whorls. Petals are            more pronounced than sepals.        -   Petals.—Arrangement: Inner whorl comprises 3 petals: 2            lateral petals and a labellum. 2 lateral petals: Overall            shape: broadly ovate and weakly cupped. Apex: oval. Margin:            entire and weakly undulate. Base: broadly ovate. Length:            about 65 mm. Width: about 50 mm. Texture: Upper surface:            smooth and satiny. Under surface: smooth and satiny. Color            (when fully opened): upper and under side: white (RHS            NN155C) with some purple/violet veins (RHS N80B) and a            purple/violet haze at the edges (RHS N80D). Labellum:            Overall shape: 3-lobed with 2 prominent callosities at            central junction of the lateral lobes and base of the            midlobe. Lateral lobes of labellum fold upward about the            column; the midlobe extends forward and is terminated by 2            filiform appendages at the apex. Lateral lobes of the            labellum are ovate in shape while the midlobe is triangular            with a bump and a rib on it. Margin: entire and weakly            undulate. Apex: oval. Length: about 25 mm. Width (not            flattened): about 30 mm. Depth of tube created by lateral            lobes of labellum: about 20 mm. Texture: Upper & under            surface: smooth and satiny. Color (when fully opened): Mid            lobe, upper side: main color is red/purple (RHS 71A). In the            corners yellow/green (RHS 151C). In the center a white mark            (RHS NN155B). Under side: white (RHS N155C) with a the base            some red/purple (RHS 70A) and purple (RHS N79C). In the            corners some yellow/green (RHS 151C). Lateral lobes, upper            side: white (RHS NN155C) with at the base some red/purple            stripes (RHS 59A). At the lower edge first yellow (RHS 13B)            than red/purple (RHS 59A) which runs into red/purple (RHS            72A). Under side: white (RHS NN155C) with red/purple (RHS            72A) at the base and yellow at the lower edge (RHS 13B). Is            also has a purple/violet haze (RHS N80D). Cirrhi: about            30 mm. color: red/purple (RHS 59A) and (RHS 71A). Pestle            (Callosities): Length: about 5 mm. Width (not flattened):            about 6 mm. Color: main color is yellow (RHS 13A) with            yellow on the sides (RHS 13C) and red/purple spots (RHS            59A).        -   Sepals.—Arrangement: Outer whorl comprises 3 sepals, one            dorsal and two lateral sepals. Overall shape: elliptical and            weakly cupped. Margin: entire and weakly undulate. Length:            about 42 mm. Width: about 30 mm. Apex: oval and dorsal            sepals with a notch. Texture: Upper and under surface:            smooth and satiny. Color (when fully opened): Upper side,            dorsal: purple/violet (RHS N80C runs into RHS N80D). At the            base some white (RHS NN155C). Lateral: white (RHS NN155C)            with a purple/violet haze (RHS N80D). At the base some            yellow/green (RHS 145A) and red/purple spots (RHS 59A).            Under side, dorsal: purple/violet (RHS N80B runs into RHS            N80C). In the center some yellow/green (RHS 152C and RHS            145B). Lateral: purple/violet (RHS N80B). At the base            yellow/green (RHS 145C).        -   Pedicel.—Length: about 45 mm. Diameter: about 3.5 mm.            Texture: glabrous and smooth. Color: from flower            yellow/green (RHS 145A and RHS 145C) which runs into            yellow/green (RHS 146C) with a red/purple haze (RHS 70A and            RHS 70B).-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Arrangement.—The stamens, style and stigmas are fused into a            single, short structure called the column, possessing one            terminal anther with pollen grains united into a pollinia,            which are covered by an anther cap. The stigma is located            under the column behind the pollinia. The ovary is inferior            with three carpels present. The plant has not produced seed.        -   Column.—Length: about 9 mm. Diameter: about 4 mm. Color:            purple/violet (RHS N80C).        -   Pollinia.—Quantity: two. Diameter: about 3 mm. Color:            yellow/orange (RHS 23A).        -   Ovary.—Length: about 3 mm. Diameter: about 2.5 mm. Color:            white (RHS NN155C).-   Disease/pest resistance/ susceptibility: No specific resistance or    susceptibility observed.-   Temperature tolerance: Tolerant to a low temperature of about 15° C.    and to a high temperature about 30° C.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct Phalaenopsis plant named‘Double Delight’, as illustrated and described herein.